Herring Gull Taxidermy diorama, 1897
“Our garden is strangely silent and lifeless this autumn, owing to the death of the beautiful seagull, which for nearly fifteen years has been our cheery companion and friend, as well as the ornament of our garden.” —Mary Stickney Rowntree -Our Beautiful Seagull – A Christmas Story 19th century This herring gull became part of the Rowntree family for 15 years, after first appearing in the garden with a broken wing, becoming a beloved family pet. Sadly, it was found dead on a garden path, after seemingly being drowned in a water tank. The family were distraught and so their pet was preserved. Mary Stickney Rowntree wrote a short book about it, which included the photogram.